Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan Commends Punjab Farmers for Their Vital Contributions to Agriculture

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan recently visited Punjab, where he drove a tractor in Patiala. He emphasised that understanding farmers' challenges requires firsthand experience with farming equipment. Chouhan praised Punjab's farmers for their significant role in foodgrain production and promised to address their concerns through dialogue.

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Focus on Agricultural Research and Development

During his visit, Chouhan highlighted the Viksit Krishi Sankalp Abhiyan campaign at Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Rauni, Patiala. This initiative aims to connect agricultural research with farmers by bringing scientific knowledge directly to them. Agricultural scientists visit villages to provide tailored advice based on local conditions, focusing on soil nutrients, climate, and crop varieties.

Chouhan also discussed modern farming techniques, such as direct seeding of paddy (DSR). This method is seen as a water- and cost-efficient alternative to traditional transplanting. Farmers reported that DSR maintains yield levels while reducing labour and input costs. The minister stressed the importance of balanced pesticide use to avoid increased costs and reduced crop quality.

Addressing Farmers' Concerns

The minister's visit comes amid demands from farmer groups like Samyukta Kisan Morcha non-political and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha for a legal guarantee of minimum support prices for crops. A planned meeting with these groups was postponed last month due to disagreements over state government participation.

Chouhan reiterated his commitment to formulating future agricultural policies based on grassroots data collected during the campaign. He emphasised the need to understand which policies and subsidies are beneficial or necessary for farmers. "Which policy is beneficial or not, which subsidy is important and which is being given, for whom it is necessary and to whom is being given? All these things need to be understood," he said.

Promoting Sustainable Agriculture

Chouhan outlined six key objectives for Indian agriculture: increasing productivity, reducing costs, ensuring fair prices, compensating crop losses, encouraging diversification, and preserving natural resources. He noted that agriculture remains the backbone of India's economy, with 50% of the population relying on it.

The minister also called for developing heat-resistant seeds through research to adapt to changing climate conditions. He stressed the importance of transforming agriculture through decisive actions and problem-solving. "Machines developed through our innovations are now proving effective both domestically and internationally," he said.

Chouhan visited farmlands to review crops and production methods. He also toured a factory in Amargarh that manufactures agricultural machinery, inspecting various tools and equipment. He emphasised the need for India to become an exporter of agricultural machinery through collaboration with state governments.

In his address at Amargarh, Chouhan expressed his vision for India to become the world's food basket. He highlighted the government's focus on agriculture as crucial for achieving this goal. "We want the country to be the food basket of the world, and it is not impossible," he stated.

Chouhan's visit underscored his dedication to addressing farmers' issues and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across India.

With inputs from PTI